A multi-talented, though visually impaired athlete, Kekere Oladele Samuel has disclosed that many budding stars in his sector are bring curtailed due to an ‘environment of lack’ in Nigeria.
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Kekere disclosed as much during an exclusive interview with sports247.ng on the sidelines of the 4th Blind Sports Fiesta, which was organised by Lagos State Sports Commission this week at Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere.
While praising the organisers for giving visually challenged talents opportunities to express their skills, Kekere lamented that inadequate organisation of competitions, insufficient facitilies and lack of funds are the biggest obstacles debilitating against them.
The articulate lad, who competes in para-judo, special athletics and goalball, added: “The challenges are many.
“First is organisation, and then facilities. That’s so because, here, we don’t have a sort of environment that is conducive for us.
“Apart from the venue we are using for this competition, where else can we have this kind of game?
“Had it been that we have different places whereby this kind of game can be exhibited, people would come from many places to compete.
“We will see talents from Badagry, Ikorodu and other far locations if we had many places where this kind of game could be exhibited.
“I think it would go a long way in reducing stress on us, and there would be no need of us going far to just one place to compete.
“You could even zone it; whereby champions from each zone can come together and compete with one another.
“So, lack of organisation and insufficient facilities are serious challenges that we in special sports are facing.”
He then turned his attention on financial aspects and pointed out that Nigeria’s current economic downturn is seriously affecting physically challenged sports people in the country.
“There is also the issue of finance. That’s another problem; as we have to transport ourselves from our various places, which is difficult … especially with what is currently going on in the country.
“If not for our passion, you won’t see us here. We took away the money challenge, and here we are,” Kekere pointed out.
He concluded by suggesting that full support and encouragement from various levels of government would ameliorate the current hurdles facing disabled athletes and make it easier for them to express their talents.
“We face a lot of issues that we want the government to come in and settle for us.
“We want this kind of event arranged for us maybe twice a year; so that we will not be idle or redundant,” Kekere supplicated.
He also hinted at the need for proper focus to begin for visually impaired athletes, so that they can earnestly commence preparations for the forthcoming National Sports Festival in Ogun State’s capital, Abeokuta.
